PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid made a closing argument for MVP votes and all but wrapped up the NBA scoring title, scoring 41 points while collecting 20 rebounds and dishing out four assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 133-120 victory Saturday over the Indiana Pacers.

Embiid shot 14 for 17 from the floor, went 11 of 15 from the foul line and made both of his 3-point attempts in a game that Philadelphia (50-31) needed to win to remain alive in the hunt for the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

James Harden had 22 points and 14 assists for Philadelphia.

Oshae Brissett scored 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton had 19 for Indiana (25-56), which lost its ninth straight game. The Pacers fell behind by 21 points in the first half, then cut the deficit to five late in the third quarter before Embiid and Harden began to take control of the game.

Embiid is now averaging 30.6 points, which is just ahead of LeBron James (30.3) and Kevin Durant (30.1). But neither James nor Durant will play enough games to qualify for the statistical title. That means the scoring race comes down to Embiid and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who would need a miracle finish to grab the scoring crown.

The Sixers can move up to the third seed in the East and a first-round matchup against Chicago with a victory over Detroit on Sunday and a Boston loss at Memphis. Otherwise, Philadelphia will face Toronto in the 4-5 matchup.

GRIZZLIES 141, PELICANS 114: Ja Morant had 21 points and nine assists in his return from soreness in his right knee, Dillon Brooks scored 23 points and Memphis routed visiting New Orleans to tie the 2012-13 franchise record for victories in a season at 56.

After missing nine games, Morant played almost 27 minutes as the second-seeded Grizzlies got their starting lineup back together as they prepare for the postseason. They will close the regular season at home against Boston on Sunday night.

Brandon Clarke added 20 points for Memphis, making all 10 of his field-goal attempts. The Grizzlies shot better than 60% through three quarters.

CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 16 points, but was 6 of 17 from the field.